By Phenyo Selinda
Pretoria, South Africa – The Gauteng Education, Sport, Arts, Culture, and Recreation Department hosted a successful Sign Language and Music Enhancement Mini Festival on Tuesday at the Transoranje School for the Deaf in Pretoria. The festival was part of an ongoing effort by the department to promote inclusivity and foster empathy between the hearing and deaf communities through its Multi-Certification Skills Programme.
Gauteng MEC for Education, Matome Chiloane, along with Miss South Africa, Mia Le Roux, graced the event, which showcased the learners’ newly acquired skills in Basic South African Sign Language (SASL) and music. This festival is one of a series of mini festivals hosted across the province to highlight the certified skills learners gain through the department’s programme.
One of the major achievements celebrated at the event was the introduction of Basic SASL to hearing learners from as early as Grade 5. Traditionally, SASL is taught at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Levels 4 and 5, but the department has adapted the curriculum to ensure inclusivity starts early in the education system. By providing these foundational sign language skills, the department aims to bridge the gap between deaf and hearing learners, fostering understanding and inclusivity from a young age.
Commitment to Inclusivity
MEC Chiloane expressed the department’s dedication to creating an inclusive society where no learner is left behind. He emphasized how the skills being taught empower learners to become advocates for the deaf community, noting that inclusivity is at the heart of the department’s agenda.
“The festival exemplifies our commitment to inclusivity, breaking barriers, and building a society where no learner is left behind. Through SASL, we are fostering empathy and understanding between hearing and deaf learners, providing them with opportunities to become advocates for the Deaf community,” said Chiloane.
The festival also included a music enhancement segment where innovative techniques allowed deaf participants to experience music through vibrations. This initiative demonstrated how the power of music could be made accessible to all, regardless of their hearing abilities, further emphasizing the department’s efforts to create an inclusive environment for all learners.
Empowering Learners and Building Understanding
Miss South Africa, Mia Le Roux, who was an honoured guest at the event, praised the learners for their dedication and efforts. She highlighted the importance of embracing diversity and inclusivity in society, encouraging learners to take pride in their unique abilities.
“Stop apologising for being different… believe in yourself because you are capable of so much,” Le Roux told the learners. Her words resonated with the theme of the festival—promoting self-confidence and mutual respect across communities.
Impact and Future Plans
The festival marked a significant milestone in the department’s ongoing mission to make education accessible and empowering for all learners. Since the introduction of SASL in 2019, over 13,000 learners have benefited from the programme, fostering greater social cohesion between hearing and deaf learners. According to Deshni Naidoo from the Inclusion and Special Schools Directorate, the department still has a long way to go, but with initiatives like these, they are steadily moving in the right direction.
The event concluded with a call to action to continue creating inclusive learning spaces that nurture the talents of all learners. The department remains committed to developing programmes that not only enhance academic excellence but also promote social inclusion and empathy across all spheres of learning .
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